Is it semantics? Is it the motivation behind it? I am having a hard time trying to figure out the difference between chastisement and punishment. Isn't it the same? They both can cause pain. They are both for turning a person away from their sin. They both are supposed to teach the difference between "good" and "bad". If I "chastise" my children. . . . . say, I cancel their trip to the gym today because they didn't get out of bed in time (when I told them to),and explain that we just don't have the time now, since they got up so late, and didn't get up when I told them to, isn't that punishment, too?

__________________
Wielder of the Cutlass of Acerbic Wit and the Phaser of Perseverance!

Is it semantics? Is it the motivation behind it? I am having a hard time trying to figure out the difference between chastisement and punishment. Isn't it the same? They both can cause pain. They are both for turning a person away from their sin. They both are supposed to teach the difference between "good" and "bad". If I "chastise" my children. . . . . say, I cancel their trip to the gym today because they didn't get out of bed in time (when I told them to),and explain that we just don't have the time now, since they got up so late, and didn't get up when I told them to, isn't that punishment, too?

I'd like to gently encourage you to not worry about it.

It's my opinion and experience that children progress into needing related consequences whether they are imposed (logical) or natural.

If a school aged child chooses to not get up in time to enjoy an outing; the outing goes away. That is a related, reasonable, respectful imposed logical consequence. Making them write out a Proverb....not so much. Taking away computer privileges......not so much (unless it was the computer keeping them up!) Making them do extra chores, not related. It's *discipline* and the style emerges from the life situaiton itself.

In my working definition, "punishment" is used to label unrelated consequences applied to a situation to:

1) Make the child feel bad about or consider their behavior
2) Make them pay for their behavior
3) Teach them not to do "it" again

A variety of opinions and ideas are shared on GCM. Personal experiences, suggestions, and tips found here are in no way intended to substitute for medical counsel from a healthcare professional. Always use your own good judgement and seek professional advice when in doubt about a health concern.